my recipe box: cinnamon maple coffee creamer

Is it just me or is fall in the air?  Hehe.  I know, it's just me.  I'll back off until state fair week is over.  But that's all you "can't get enough of summer" people get.  I'm ready for cooler temps (sweaters and jeans!), the changing of the leaves (colors!), apples & pumpkins (ermahgerd the orchard!), football (GO HAWKS!)...I can hardly wait!

No matter how hot it is, I usually have need a cup of hot coffee in the morning.  Awhile back I noted this link, at the time it was a bit of a joke, but I was curious enough to give it a try.  I have found on this lifelong journey to eating fresh, wholesome foods, caring about where foods come from, and cooking meals made from single ingredients that there is a lot of give and take (yes, I still add the reddi whip to my cup).  And guess what - it's ok.  You can't change everything at once, but small steps really make a difference.  This is the latest baby step for me.  Try it out and see what you think!  The way I ended up liking it best is similar to the "Cinnamon Strudel" original recipe on the link, just a couple of changes.

Cinnamon Maple Coffee Creamer

1 half pint heavy cream
1 cup whole milk
4 tbsp. pure maple syrup (nothing against Aunt Jemima but seriously don't do it)
1 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. vanilla

Stir together heavy cream, whole milk, syrup, & cinnamon in a small saucepan on low heat until it steams (try not to boil).  Remove from heat, strain through a fine sieve (pouring over cheesecloth in a small strainer also works) and add vanilla.  Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, will keep up to two weeks.

For now cinnamon maple will suffice, but soon shelves will be stocked with all of the holiday creamer (irresistible) flavors.  I'll be doing some experimenting and will post my favorite homemade pumpkin spice version just in time to enjoy throughout the fall season.  Happy cup of coffee to you!

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PS.  Just for fun, here is a list of the ingredients in the creamer that I most often purchased.  


INGREDIENTS: WATER, SUGAR, PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED SOYBEAN AND/OR COTTONSEED OIL, AND LESS THAN 2% OF SODIUM CASEINATE (A MILK DERIVATIVE)**, NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FLAVORS, DIPOTASSIUM PHOSPHATE, DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, MONO- AND DIGLYCERIDES, CELLULOSE GEL, CELLULOSE GUM, COLOR ADDED, CARRAGEENAN.